Great potential tapped by GAA

BY LAURA FRIEL

Paddy McCotter and Rab Kerr are presented with a cheques by Liam Shannon, chair of the Felon's Club, as a contribution to set up a GAA club in Twinbrook

The establishment of a new GAA club in County Antrim is a good-news story. The fact that Cumann na Fuiseoige is located in an area with one of the youngest population profiles in the Six Counties makes it all the more exciting. Take that together with the reality of life in Twinbrook, Poleglass and the wider Colin Glen area, and you begin to get the picture.

Here, the largest nationalist population within the boundaries of unionist dominated Lisburn Borough Council has endured decades of systematic deprivation, which has denied all but the most minimal social and economic infrastructure to a population the size of a small town. It comes as no surprise that the prospect of a GAA club has attracted universal support from the local community and businesses.

"We encountered enormous goodwill and positive feedback," says Padraic McCotter, chairperson of Cumann na Fuiseoige. The new club will be launched on 23 October at 11am at the local Irish Primary school, Scoil na Fuiseoige. There will be a number of prominent speakers from the GAA and political representatives.

Republicans, particularly former POWs, have provided much of the initial momentum behind the project and this is reflected in the name that has been chosen for the club.

"Bobby Sands came from Twinbrook and we wanted the name to reflect that local legacy. Many people will be familiar with Bobby Sands' writings and the image of the Lark as a metaphor for the promise of Irish Freedom," said Padraic.

"Fuiseog is Irish for lark, it seemed both a fitting tribute and to offer the kind of positive vision we hope to encourage young people to adopt as their own. Bobby Sands talked about the laughter of our children, this is a small step towards establishing that promise," said Padraic.

"When we approached the GAA County Board about the possibility of establishing a new club in the Colin Glen area, we encountered massive encouragement. We talked about the problems of the area, the lack of facilities for young people and the great potential of the area. The talent this club will be drawing upon is enviable," said Padraic.

"We've also received encouragement and donations from local businessmen like Brendan McKee of Saveway Supermarket, clubs like Roddy McCorley's, the Felons and Andersonstown Social Club. Everyone has been absolutely great in offering practical support," said Padraic.

"Local community groups, Brook Activity Centre, Twinbrook Youth Club and the Sally Gardens Community Centre, have also been very helpful, providing facilities and premises for management meetings and other support," he said.

"The club has already attracted about 70 players," says Rab Kerr, the club's PRO. "We are running two training sessions a week, on Saturday morning and Tuesday nights at the Brook Activity Centre."

"At the moment, we have coaches for under 10s, 12s and 14s boys and girls football. All those involved have completed their Child Protection training," he said.

"We are in the process of setting up hurling and camogie training. In the long term we hope to establish our own pitch and site club facilities within the area. Too often, youth is associated with negativity, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and petty crime," said Rab.

"Young people are seen as a drain rather than an asset within a community. In a small way we hope to challenge that negativity. The future of this community lies with its young people and their potential. We have a lot of young people and a lot of potential. We're building on that and let me assure you, we're going places."